T-6 Texan

ABOUT THE PILOT

Shannon is a living embodiment of grassroots aviation, keeping the legacy of warbirds alive with every takeoff. Based out of his private grass strip and hangar – Red Oak Landing in Sunset, Louisiana – Shannon flies a legendary fleet of vintage aircraft, including the Stearman, T-6 Texan, and the iconic P-51 Mustang.

Shannon’s passion for aviation spans decades, with over 11,000 hours of time in the cockpit. He travels coast to coast for fly-ins and recently began performing in airshows, where the rumble of radial engines and the roar of history meet.

Shannon is on a mission to inspire the next generation of aviators and preserve the stories of America’s flying heritage – one engine start at a time. 

ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT

The AT-6 Texan is one of the most iconic military trainer aircraft in aviation history. Designed by North American Aviation, it served as the primary advanced trainer for U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force, and other Allied air forces during World War II and beyond.

This aircraft was specifically built to prepare pilots for high-performance fighters like the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, and F4U Corsair. With its complex handling characteristics, retractable landing gear, and high-speed performance, the AT-6 was the ideal bridge between basic trainers and combat aircraft.